LifestyleTravelFrom coastal trails to treetop adventures, there is plenty to enjoy in the year ahead

Friday, 3rd January 2020, 6:04 pm

Get lost in the garden Greater Manchester

Make a pilgrimage Durham

Whether you are seeking spiritual enlightenment or simple escapism, pick your own path: Durhams new Northern Saints Trails project comprises six walking routes, based on ancient pilgrimages, all leading to Durham Cathedral and all showcasing different aspects of the North Easts landscapes and heritage. Trails launch in spring, northernsaints.com.

Go to jail Cornwall

Built in the 18th century, Bodmin Jail is being given a 21st-century revamp. The Grade II listed hulk is being turned into an immersive attraction, where you can walk with smugglers past. You can even check in: later in the year some of the cells will be transformed into a boutique hotel, complete with mod cons and inventive dining, but retaining that bars-on-the-windows atmosphere. Launching in May, hotel opening late 2020, bodminjail.org.

Tell tales Oxford

Let your imagination run wilder at the revamped Story Museum. New for 2020, Oxfords centre of storytelling will feature the Whispering Wood (a forest echoing with oral tales) and Small Worlds, where children can play with book characters. Philip Pullman and Malorie Blackman creations will be brought to life in the Enchanted Library, a set of immersive story rooms. Reopening 4 April, storymuseum.org.uk.

Be illuminated Norfolk

Hit the creative quarter London

A new landmark destination for the arts that is the aim of Woolwich Works, the overhaul of Greenwichs former Royal Arsenal. The Thames-side site comprises the Fireworks Factory, Academy, Cartridge Factory, Carriageworks and Laboratory. Highlights will include a theatre, courtyard, market area, exhibition zones, bars and community spaces. Launching 2020, royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

Drink a dram Edinburgh

How better to celebrate your 200th birthday than by sharing a shot or two with the world? For its bicentenary, the Johnnie Walker brand is building a Johnnie Walker Experience in the heart of Edinburgh. The three-storey former House of Fraser store on Princes Street will be dedicated to the history and process of whisky. Opening late 2020, diageo.com.

Canal-side capers Birmingham

Built in 1874, Birminghams Roundhouse was originally used as stores for the adjacent New Main Line Canal. This year, the Grade II listed icon will reopen as a hub from which to explore the waterways network. Opening early 2020, nationaltrust.org.uk.

Eat, drink and be merry Devon

Get in the spirit Cardiff & Monmouthshire

Lushes, get thee to South Wales. First to Hensol Castle (near Cardiff) where a full-scale distillery and gin school is opening in the fortresss 17th-century basement. Then visit Monmouthshires Silver Circle: launched in July, this distillery is opening for visits, tastings and workshops. hensolcastledistillery.com, silvercircledistillery.com.

Feel industrious Derby

Did you know that the worlds first fully mechanised factory was built in Derby? This year, that 299-year-old locale will become home to the Museum of Making. Part of the Unesco-listed Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the new riverside museum (based around the historic Silk Mill) will showcase key items from the areas industrial past, celebrate creativity and encourage the entrepreneurs of the future. Opening in autumn, derbymuseums.org.

Take a tour Wye Valley

In 1770, William Gilpin took a boat tour along the river Wye; he subsequently wrote Britains first tour guide. There are events to celebrate this 250th anniversary, including a new Celtic Trails walking trip in Gilpins footsteps. Launches March, celtictrailswalkingholidays.co.uk, gilpin2020.org.

Walk into Westeros County Down

Step right into the Seven Kingdoms: the upcoming Game of Thrones Studio Tour will take you behind the scenes of the HBO series. A huge interactive experience is being built within Banbridges Linen Mill Studios, where much of the series was shot. The tour will include sumptuous sets, original props and costumes and recreations of key scenes. Opening in autumn, linenmillstudios.com.

Discover ancient girl power Staffordshire

Ever heard of Aethelflaed? Not to worry: this fierce and forgotten queen (daughter of Alfred the Great) will become much better known this year, once Tamworth Castle has opened its new gallery. The space will use audio-visuals to explore the towns Anglo-Saxon history, from the stories of overlooked Aethelflaed to themes of war and warrior culture. Pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard will also be on display. Opening in summer, tamworthcastle.co.uk.

Hit the coast Wales

Find 50 new ways to walk the Wales Coast Path. A new batch of self-guided itineraries, designed by trail officers who know the path inside out, is launching to help people of all abilities experience the 870-mile epic. In spring, 10 new wow walks will be released, featuring some of the Welsh shorelines most impressive stretches. A series of culture and heritage routes will follow in autumn. All are free to download. Launching spring, walescoastpath.gov.uk.

Art beside the sea Kent, Sussex & Essex

The England Coast Path is now set for completion in 2020-21. The stretch along the shores of Kent, Sussex and Essex is looking especially inspiring. The Englands Creative Coast project will launch Waterfronts, a trail linking artworks between the South Downs and the Thames Estuary; the first, a collaboration with Michael Rakowitz and the Turner Contemporary, begins in spring. Launching in April, englandscreativecoast.com.

Sleep in style Cornwall

Hot on the trotters of The Pig at Bridge Place, which opened in 2019, the much-adored mini hotel chain will launch The Pig at Harlyn Bay this summer, converting Grade II listed Harlyn House (near Padstow) into another laid-back-luxe retreat. Expect sea views, a kitchen garden, a local-food focus and the buildings 15th-century character given a quirky, porcine twist. Opening in June, thepighotel.com.

Gawp at Viking gold Scotland

In 2014, a metal detectorist in Dumfries and Galloway unearthed the richest collection of Viking-age objects ever found in the UK: more than 100 treasures buried in the 10th century. A free exhibition of the Galloway Hoard will run from 29 May to 18 October at Edinburghs National Museum of Scotland before touring to the Kirkcudbright Galleries, Dundees McManus Museum and Aberdeens refurbished Art Gallery. From 29 May, nms.ac.uk/hoardexhibition.

Play in the woods Cheshire

BeWILDerwood, the childrens adventure park in the Norfolk Broads, is set to sprinkle some of its magic in the grounds of Cheshires Cholmondeley Castle when it opens its second site. The 70-acre playground will be a labyrinth of treehouses, wooden walkways, slides, curious characters, arts and crafts activities and storytelling designed to fire kids imagination amid the estates lakes, ponds and mossy woods. Opening spring, bewilderwood.co.uk.

Change of perspective Cumbria

Sizergh Castles Solar Tower has been standing since the 14th century. But new this decade is the chance to see it from a different perspective. Rooftop tours of this Lake District pile will begin in spring, offering eagle-eye views over the estates rock garden, lake, pastures and woodland, and the Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire countryside beyond. Launching in March, nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh.

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Days out near me: The best new things to do across the UK, from the Game of Thrones Studio Tour to Durham walking trails - inews